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More than 98% of nanoplastics removed from drinking water in new ‘natural’ technique
A new technique discovered by scientists removes more than 98% of nanoplastics from drinking water using a solvent that leaves clean water behind.
Have you ever wondered what water contains? Some people were scared after seeing tap water under a microscope with what appeared to be microorganisms. Nanoplastics have also caused a case of concern because they are invisible to the naked eye. Well, scientists have developed a solution to remove nanoplastics in drinking water, to almost a 100% efficiency.
Scientists remove almost all traces of nanoplastics in drinking water
Nanoplastics are�solid particles of synthetic or heavily modified natural polymers between the size of 1 nm and 1000 nm, and are invisible to the naked eye. UCLA explains nanoplastics can�leach into liquids (like water) stored in single-use plastic bottles. They can also find their way into bottled water during the manufacturing process.
Linked to cardiovascular and respiratory health diseases in people, they continue to build up in the worlds bodies of water (such as rivers, lakes, or oceans).
A cost-effective solution to remove nanoplastics while leaving clean water behind was yet to be made until a discovery by University of Missouri scientists.
The study reports researchers created a new liquid-based solution that eliminates more than 98% of these microscopic plastic particles from water.
Piyuni Ishtaweera, an alumna who led the study, explained “nanoplastics can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and enter the food chain, posing risks to both wildlife and humans.”
The research team is developing better ways to remove contaminants, and the strategy uses a small amount of designer solvent to absorb plastic particles from a large volume of water.
Water-repelling solvents (made from natural ingredients) initially sit on top of the water but once they are mixed and allowed to reseparate, the solvent floats back to the surface, carrying the nanoplastics within its molecular structure.
In the lab, the researchers use a pipette to remove the nanoplastic-laden solvent, leaving behind clean, plastic-free water.
Research paves the way for future studies
Piyuni Ishtaweera noted that the new method is effective in both fresh and saltwater. This technique offers a practical solution to the pressing issue of nanoplastic pollution and also paves the way for further research.
Future studies will work to scale up the entire process so that it can be applied to larger bodies of water like lakes and, eventually, oceans.
Gary Baker, an associate professor in Mizzous Department of Chemistry and the studys corresponding author, explained that the capacity of these solvents is not well understood.”
Future work aims to determine the maximum capacity of the solvent and “explore methods to recycle the solvents, enabling their reuse multiple times if necessary.”
